So yesterday was my birthday in which I had the most wonderful, slow paced, enjoyable day with my amazing husband. We were living life, having fun, being giddy, young at heart, and I was truly being in “each” moment, soaking up the love we have, and the memories we were making, and at the end of the day I was so grateful. I believe this was my best birthday ever because I chose to be in “each” moment, instead of trying to get through to the next destination or the next item on my life’s “to do” list. Actually last year’s birthday was a big milestone of why this birthday was so wonderful. You see, on my birthday last year I was very sick with the flu and whether it was the flu, too much NyQuil, reactions to the z-pack I was given, or a combination of it all, something really went wrong with my body. There are too many symptoms to mention, but the main issues since then, is that my digestive system has been a mess which I’m still trying to figure out, and my body felt totally depleted. By Christmas I was just numb and going through life trying to make it through each day. I tried figuring out what was wrong with me, self diagnosing, but finally decided after the holidays I would go to my doctor and get help. For starters, my thyroid and adrenals were completely depleted. I’m working on getting these balanced out, and as many of you know for years I’ve already been focused on healthy eating and living to help ease my pain of fibro and arthritis, but now with the skin rashes and digestive issues I’m completely off of gluten and sugar, and am slowly on a path of healing, as we continue to figure things out.

So all of this has caused me to sit back and review my life. I’ve kept myself over extended and exhausted for years. Not only with society’s busyness of life, when you add my control and perfectionism where I have always needed to have everything right, always in its place, being the best, trying to do better and more and bigger things, on top of my codependency of trying to help fix and rescue anyone and everyone in my path that reached out to me, as it made me feel important when others needed me, because I needed to be needed, accepted, loved and liked, and I thought that’s what I had to do to get it. All of this had me in a chaotic rat race of go, go, go — both physically and mentally!

But, I’m changing this crazy cycle of mine to slow down, be in the moment, breathe and enjoy right where I am, rather than hurrying through just trying to get to the next destination, never enjoying the journey. Right now making these changes of being still, intentionally slowing down, removing things from my agenda and life, saying “no” and not accepting new and more responsibilities, is as awkward for me as it is looking at the word “waler” with my OCD and not having the “t” crossed. My life has been where I’ve needed to be in control (at least think I am) and have every “t” crossed and every “i” dotted. But I’ve realized, even if the word “waler” doesn’t have the “t” crossed, people will know what the word is suppose to mean, and it’s not the end of the world if the “t” isn’t always crossed.

My codependent, perfectionist, controlling personality has actually controlled me, and has taken away my peace, joy, contentment and loving life as a whole, and I’m done. These have been tools I’ve used as coping skills over the years that I needed to deal with things in my life that was out of my control, but they are unhealthy and robbing me of so much. As I get older I realize more and more the importance to just “be” and enjoy all that I’ve been blessed with and not let these things control me. They have been my addiction to cope, but I choose to stop this and instead love life, breathe, play in the rain, splash in the puddles, breathe in the air, be still and feel the sun’s warmth soak into my aching body easing the tension and pain. Learning to laugh deep belly laughs, and sing at the top of my lungs with goodness, fun and foolishness. Being silly, enjoying life with my wonderful husband, family and friends. Life on this earth is too short to stress over nonsense, and it’s time for me to enjoy all the blessings I’ve been given. To stop pushing to get one more chore done, one more thing to do before I can stop and enjoy life. Because my to do list will never end, and there’ll always be one more chore to do, so I choose to stop focusing on that “one more” thing and live life right where I am.

Like the song from Casting Crowns says “stop holding on and be held”. Holding on is me still trying to control, where being held is letting go, surrendering my control, and instead being held and resting in the loving, caring arms of our creator trusting in His unconditional love for us no matter who we are or what we’ve done. You see, for years I believed in the man made laws of religion which shows God more as a dictator watching and waiting for us to mess up so He can punish us. And for several years I couldn’t even open up the Bible because I thought it was just a lot of lawful do’s and don’ts in which I couldn’t take anymore, because I already put so much guilt, discipline and strictness on myself. But I’ve come to know our true creator and Heavenly Father. And now I can’t get enough of His Word because after removing the lies of man I’ve realized it’s filled with promises, hope, peace and joy He offers to all of us if we will just accept His gift. You see as his child I’ve tried to “do” to earn His love, grace, forgiveness and mercy. But you can’t “do” anything for a gift, as it’s offered freely. My works were trying to make me feel better, because I thought I had to do this for Him. He even says in His Word, if a child asked his parent for food would his parent give him a stone? No! Even humans who have flaws want to give their children good things, how much greater love does our Heavenly Father have for us. (Matthew 7:9-12) Religion with man made laws cause us to feel we must “do” to be loved, approved, accepted, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt these are lies by man, because our creator and loving Heavenly Father is so full of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and patience, and the more I “be still” and rest in Him, accepting, realizing and soaking up these wonderful gifts from Him and remove the lies of man, the more free I am in mind, body, and soul, and the more I desire and am able to give these same attributes out to others each day of my life. God is saying: “be” who you are, His wonderful creation, wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). “Be” in a relationship with him through accepting His gift. “Be” loved. “Be” forgiven. “Be” accepted. And by accepting His gift we can “Be” filled with a hope, peace, joy, contentment we never thought was possible. I’ve realized, just like an appliance needs to be connected to the power source to work, I need to be connected to my amazing Heavenly Father (through his word, prayer and the Holy Spirit) as it fills me with exactly what I need every day. Love when I feel unloved. Hope when I feel hopeless. Wisdom when I need guidance. Strength when I am weak. A firm foundation when life is stormy. Consistency that He’s the same yesterday, today and forever in an ever changing world. Confidence when I’m afraid. Trust when I need to know He’s right there with me- holding me, carrying me, desiring to give me the best life I could possibly ever desire if I stop holding on and just be held (Jeremiah 29:11). And I know as I intentionally work towards this new way of life– to be still, to be held, to just breathe, to let go, and just enjoy each moment I’m in, I will slowly come to find that this will no longer feel awkward, but will become my new way of living, another step closer to the way God planned for me to live from the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what it brings to my life and all those in my life.

Listen to this wonderful song and believe, know without a doubt you are loved unconditionally by your Heavenly Father. https://youtu.be/tIZitK6_IMQ

So, anyone who has read my blogs knows my passion is to vote for the one who’s looking to uphold that which is closest to God’s word. And as God’s child, I’ve always had a peace whichever way this election goes as I know our Heavenly Father is ultimately in control. But, as I’ve been watching, listening, reading blogs, seeing news, hearing some argue their opinions, some unfriending others on social media, it’s been heartbreaking to see such division rather than unity. My desire is to speak the truth that’s in my heart with love, but agree to disagree with those who aren’t where I am, and to love each person right where they are, and believing in the power of prayer, seeking His word for truth and asking the Holy Spirit to direct myself and others as we make our decisions.

As I sat and pondered all that’s been going on, it hit me. When God created us He wanted us to have complete freedom of choice, which He provided, and will never take that freedom away from us. He allows us the opportunity to choose things that are best for us, and he also allows us the freedom to make bad choices – of course we reap the benefits or consequences, we all know that’s the way it works. But either choice we make God’s love does not change. His love never fails. He loves us unconditionally. And because He cannot look upon sin, but loves us so much, He made a way for us to be reunited with Him forever through the life, death and resurrection of His one and only son Jesus Christ in which I am so grateful.

We have been blessed the same way here in America, where we have the freedom of choice, where again laws are provided for our protection and if we obey we can come and go freely, but if not, we pay the consequences. With this election, more than ever, I can see so clearly how God has blessed America with having the freedoms of choice. Free to own our own business, our own homes. Buy the cars we want. Stay single or be married. Come and go when we want. Attend the church that we want, or not attend at all. Go out and have fun when we want. Go on vacations when and where we want. And I could go on and on. I also know that these freedoms aren’t always provided throughout our history as some men have tried to govern and rule over man. Such as Hitler, Saddam and more. After looking at both candidates for President I see one who has messed up many times and continues to, but who I believe loves our country and will fight for it and our freedoms. And I see another one who absolutely has done evil, unexplained, heart-wrenching things now proven, and being brought to our attention even more in the last few days, who I believe truly desires to rule us and remove the freedoms we have come to know and love, using lies and deception to make us think she has our good at heart.

As a christian I trust God’s word, and believe the many verses that says “fear not” and whichever one becomes our next president we have a Heavenly Father whom I know I can depend on, trust and who has already won the battle. No matter what may come in our future, I know that I will have eternal life forever. What I see with Trump getting in, is that our freedoms to truly make our own choices will be allowed. What I see with Hilary getting in, is that we will all lose our freedoms to truly make our own choices, and more and more will be governed and told what we can and can’t do. We may not see it ourselves, but our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will. But again, I know that God’s in control, and saying that isn’t saying that I’m naive’ and don’t see what could happen.

In a nutshell, here’s what I believe is a good possibility. If Trump gets in we will have the freedoms we have all grown to know and love, but if Hillary gets in I believe we will lose those freedoms.

And whichever way it goes I am confident in this – that God cares more about our eternal souls than our temporary bodies – and if He sees that more souls will be saved by providing us the freedoms we’ve come to know and love by sharing with others the hope, peace and joy we’ve found in him that’s wonderful.

But, if He sees that more souls would be saved where our freedoms will be taken away from us, and we are told what we can and cannot do, and that we can no longer worship our God but another god, like the time of King Nebuchadnezzar with Shadrach Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3) – where when the rubber hit the road, and they were given the choice to bow to another god or be put in the fiery furnace – they chose their Living God and did not bow – Then God’s power was shown through saving them in the fire, and many knees bowed and turned to our living, almighty God. Only God knows the future.

But I am confident in this. That our God is a God of love who desires a personal relationship with each of us and wants to pour His blessings on us. And whatever man may do, I am confident as His child that I am promised a hope beyond this temporary life. My desire is to share this hope I’ve found in Him with others has He’s made it available to all mankind. I’m confident because He’s never failed me. Man has many times. But our Heavenly Father has been my firm foundation, my one constant in an ever changing world. I know His love never fails and never gives up on me. He was, is and always will be. He is the I AM. I claim His words when He says “Fear Not” for death has no sting, the victory has been won, and Jesus is the King of all kings, Lord of all lords, and will reign forever, now into eternity.

Like Christ in the garden of Gethsemane I have been crying out in prayer for our nation. Praying for our eyes to be open to see what really is and not believe lies and deceit on whichever side it may be coming from. I’ve prayed that evil will be exposed and that we may all see clearly what truly is before this election. I’ve been crying out to God that He would spare America from evil and allow us to keep the freedoms we have grown to know and love so that we may spread the hope we’ve found in Him with others, telling them about the great news. But, I also surrender my will to His as I know He knows the future, and I’m confident in His love for all mankind, in His wisdom to know what’s best, in His power to do what He sees is best, and in His perfect timing, not for our temporary pleasures, but for the hope of souls to be reunited with our amazing Heavenly Father for our eternal lives. Please know whatever may come, one thing remains, God’s love never fails, it never gives up, and it never runs out on us. Please listen to this song: One Thing Remains (God’s Love)

Wow, I highly recommend watching “Hilary’s America”. It’s nothing like I expected. It’s a true story filled with facts about our history of the political parties up through today, with interviews by experts in their fields from universities, etc. This has cleared up questions of why so many things I see going on in our country are like they are.

It reminded me of my growing up in a legalistic church where they preached one thing, but lived completely different, full of lies and deceit, having power over you built on fear and control. Making you think they are doing things for our good, but really was using us for their benefit and selfish motives. Causing us to view God as a God to be afraid of filled with complete judgment without love which took away our freedom of individuality and personal identity. This way of life filled me with fear, feeling lost and broken with no true identity of who I really was and a false identity of who God was. But through much searching, seeking, counseling, and crying out to God, for several decades, I’ve come to know this way of life was absolutely unhealthy, teaching falsely about our creator who is full of love and grace. I hated religion and chose a personal relationship with my loving creator instead.

I vowed at age 22 when this church (cult) fell apart, that I’d never again allow myself to be under that kind of control, lies and deceit by man. But as Americans, we are so close to this, and I choose to stand against this and fight to protect our freedoms.

I plead with you to not put your head in the sand and think everything will be okay and that we will continue having the freedoms we all have grown to know and love. Get the facts. Know the truth. Be informed. If you do nothing else before this election I plead with you to watch this movie and then make your decision.

I believe as a whole, no matter which party we are on, as Americans, we truly desire peace, honesty, fairness and the freedom we’ve known in our wonderful country. I believe we desire to preserve, protect and defend our freedoms. Are we willing to give up all that our forefathers, dad’s, mom’s, grandparents, siblings, sons and daughters have fought for? Will we allow their deaths for our country to be for nothing? I say NO!

I will do everything in my power to never ever again allow man to control me through lies, deceit, power and greed. I love our country. I love our freedoms. I love you. And I believe as a whole we Americans want what’s best for our country, not only for now, but for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. United we stand, divided we fall.

*Millions of believers are blind to the disaster a Clinton presidency will be to their jobs, their church and their children.

*God was on the throne when Hitler rose to power. God was on the throne when Stalin extinguished the hope of millions.

*God is on the throne as Christians all over the world are being killed by radical Islam.

*God is looking for heroes to rise up and—by His power—intervene to save America. He uses people.

*If Hillary wins, we will not be fine on November 9th. Proverbs 29: 2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.” Prepare for years and years of groaning if she wins.

*Eric Metaxas said, “If Hillary Clinton is elected, the country’s chance to have a Supreme Court that values the Constitution—and the genuine liberty and self-government for which millions have died—is gone. Not for four years, or eight, but forever.”

*To the basket of Christians gullible I say this: Nothing matters more in this election than what Hillary will do to America. She will fill the Supreme Court with leftist judges—she will destroy our economy—she will cause a war—all forms of abortion will be legal—and the church in America will be severely crippled.

*We could stop this insanity if we unified against real—not imagined evil. If we could see our real duty in this election—if we could get over our false sensibilities and hurt feelings, we could save the country. The great heroes of our faith who witnessed tyranny would grab us and shake us to our core if they saw our apathy and naiveté in the face of this threat.

*I am not fretting over the fate of Christianity. I am fretting over my nation. I know Christianity will survive without America, but America will not survive without Christianity. America as you have known it will not survive Hillary Clinton.

Are we going to allow America to become a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah or stand up against evil and vote for what God’s word tells us as His children to stand for.

**…When the day of evil comes…stand your ground, and after you have done everything… stand. Stand firm then… Ephesians 6:13-14

**It’s breath-catching, heart-breaking, and soul-searing to watch our nation implode morally and spiritually. The mental picture of the Twin Towers on 9/11 collapsing in a cloud of debris and dust comes to my mind as I pray for America.

**It is not buildings that are collapsing today. It is us — our nation.

**What can God’s people do?

**We can humble ourselves, seek God’s face, and pray. We can fast. We can turn from our wicked ways. We can return to the Lord our God. We can plead for God’s mercy to hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land.

**And we should do all of this!

**But I believe it’s also time for something else. It’s time to take a stand against evil by applying our Biblical values not only to our worldview, but to all we say, do, or think, which includes the way we vote.

Who will I vote for? I will vote for the most pro-life candidate, because God hates the shedding of innocent blood (Prov.6:17). I will vote for the most pro-Israel candidate, because God blesses those who bless Israel & curses those who don’t (Gen.12:3). I will vote for the most pro-debt reduction candidate, because the borrower is servant to the lender (Prov.22:7). I will vote for the most pro-work candidate because God says if a man not work , let him not eat. (2Thess.3:10). l will vote for the most pro-marriage candidate, because God is for marriage as defined in Genesis 2:24 . I will vote for the candidate who most closely believes government’s purpose is to reward the good & punish the evil (Romans 13). I will vote based as close as I can on God’s Word (2Tim.3:16). Knowing that whoever gets elected, God is the one who puts all men in authority (Dan.2:20-21). May God have mercy on America. I will vote.

And for you who say you don’t want to vote what’s closest to the word of God, because you’re more concerned about the individuals running and you don’t like them. Let me ask you this. If you had a child playing around snakes and one was a garner snake and the other a cotton mouth, which would you be protecting that child from? You probably wouldn’t want him playing with any snake, but if that was the choice, which would you protect him from? The evil, poisonous one of course. That is where we are in our country. For mine and your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, I write this blog, praying we as God’s children will fight the evils of this world and seek God’s face – as His word provides us with His truth’s that we should be taking a stand for, and also taking a stand against the evil we are seeing in our country, and vote for the one who speaks closest to what God’s word calls us to do. Vote against the cotton mouth – the evil, poisonous one that will do all it can to destroy the very foundations of what this country was built on, and stand for the truth of God’s word that will stand the test of times. Ephesians 6:10-18. I will repeat what’s stated above once more, I am not fretting over the fate of Christianity. I know one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess He is Lord, and I know beyond this life I will have eternal life forever. But, I am fretting over our nation. I know Christianity will survive without America, but America will not survive without Christianity. America as you have known it will not survive Hillary Clinton. God’s blessings are ours if we choose His truths, which is what this country was founded upon and why we’ve been such a blessed nation. But God will not take away our right of choice, and this election will tell so much, and if we choose evil over God’s truth, I believe the closer America will become a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. So christians…

…When the day of evil comes…stand your ground, and after you have done everything… stand. Stand firm then… Ephesians 6:13-14

Like this:

As a christian, what saddens me more in this election than our options we have for president, is how so many christians are acting in all of this. I’ve seen and heard nasty remarks, un-friending on social media, harsh and hateful words when others aren’t seeing things like they do.

Remember the acronym WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) Well that’s a great question so let’s take a look. There’s nothing new under the sun today that didn’t happen over 2000 years ago. What is going on in our nation today was going on in Jesus’ day. So how did Jesus handle things when sin was all around? When rulers and kings were over nations who were selfish, power hungry, greedy and with destruction as part of their plan?

First and foremost He stayed in communion with His Heavenly Father, seeking out His will daily and then following His plan. As he went about preaching, teaching, and admonishing many, we see that He spoke with humble confidence filled with love and acceptance. What does that mean? Well, His humility was that even though He knew who He was, the Son of the living God with greater power than any man on earth, He went about humbly with a servant’s heart and spoke God’s truth in love to others. His confidence, was that He knew the truth and that it shall prevail no matter what man may say, and that the truth will set us free if we believe and follow it. He knew that His Father, the Living God reigns over all kings, powers and nations. He knew God “was”, “is” and “always will be”. He knew He is the “I AM”. Once Jesus spoke this truth in love to many, He loved and accepted them right where they were. Some followed and desired to hear more. I know this made Jesus joyful as He knew the hope, peace and joy that follows in following the truth and promises of God. But, some accused Him of many terrible things. Some mocked Him and lied about Him. Some wanted to kill Him. But He never treated them with the hate and strife and un-friending that I see so many christians doing today. No, rather He loved them and accepted their choice and went on about His Father’s plan.

You see Jesus knew that God created us all to have freedom of choice and that in our own human power we cannot change any man from his choices. No matter how much we yell, argue or try to force them to see it our way. God won’t even take away our right of choice. But, we can live a life humbly confident in who our God is and know that His truth shall prevail, and that it has set us free of this world’s bondage, and we can love and accept them right where they are. That doesn’t mean we agree with them. That doesn’t mean we give up our values. That doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences to choices that are made, we all know there are. But we can’t make them change, but we can live what we believe with humility, confidence, love and acceptance. By doing so, we can speak what the truth has done for us in our own lives and how through our loving Heavenly Father we have found a hope, peace and joy unlike any other. We know that He is the bread of Life, the well of living water that never runs dry. A God who has power over death, and gives us hope of eternal life through the sacrifice of his only begotten son. We can tell them our praise of Him and what He’s done for us as an individual, and how through communion with Him through prayer, and reading and placing our hope in the promises of His word of truth that we have been set free and accept His gift of mercy and grace. Then, no matter how each individual responds (like Jesus – some desiring this, some ridiculing us, some mocking us, some lying about us, whatever it may be) we should love and accept them right where they are. We should allow them to continue their lives as they choose, loving and accepting them.

And as we go on in our daily lives, we can show them our hope, peace and joy by living a life truly confident in God’s promises, God’s almighty power, His never-ending love, with the greatest wisdom ever, and His perfect timing. In a world that’s broken filled with hurts, pains and strife, where the rain and the sun fall both on the just and the unjust. And when hard times hit, as we all know they will, we can stand firmly on the promises of God, showing them we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us (Phil 4:13). That when we feel like life is falling apart, we have a firm foundation to stand on that’s not sinking beneath us. And when we feel we can’t take another step, cry another tear, go without another night of sleep, that we can trust in the one who created us to hold us lovingly, hearing our every cry, being right by our side, never leaving us (Heb 13:5) even when those around us do. And even when evil is all around, we can claim His promises that greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). And with confidence we can know that rulers, kings, and presidents can have their time here on earth to rule. But one day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord of lords (Rom 14:11), the King of kings, and is the Ruler of all Nations for now into eternity.

So, back to the 2016 election. Personally, my choice during the elections has never been democrat, republican nor libertarian. You will see on my facebook page, that I’ve always had under my political headline: What’s closest to God’s word “One Nation Under God” Psa 46:10 “…I will be exalted above all nations…” Since Jesus himself isn’t running, I can study, research, pray and seek Godly wisdom to choose those closest to God’s truth. As I believe the closer we follow God’s word, the greater peace, joy and hope we will have as He desires to provide a safe, loving haven for us if we will allow ourselves to rest in His love, mercy and grace. For me it’s that simple. God promises in 2 Chron 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humblethemselves and pray and seek my face and turn fromtheir wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” As one child of the King (christian), I choose to do this and stand firmly on His truths*. And I pray many more are too. If we do we can claim His promise. If we “choose” not to, then the consequences shall be. I pray for America’s sake we do. But, no matter who gets in, Clinton or Trump, if we go to November 9, 2016 after it’s all said and done, we can be confident in this: Another day of God’s perfect sovereignty.** He will still be in charge! He will still be on the throne! Understanding God’s sovereignty over all nations, kings, presidents and powers now through eternity provides a peace that is amazing!

This coming December, My husband Ron and I will have been blessed to be small business owners for 30 years. Over the years we’ve had our ups and downs, but to be able to have one of America’s dreams of owning our own business full time, supporting ourselves and our family has been a wonderful experience. We started our business in our 20’s in our hometown of Cincinnati, OH, but due to some health issues where cold weather was causing me more problems, we moved to Spring Hill, FL in August 2007. This has allowed me the privilege of living life again rather than just existing, which I am very grateful for. The same time we moved in 2007 is when the economy took a big crash and it continues to be tough, but we chose to start our small business again from scratch down here in Florida, where our heart has been to honor God and serve each customer as if we were serving Christ in all we do and say. We get up each day giving ourselves and our business to God, asking Him to use us as we serve others. God has provided and we have been able to pay our bills and stay afloat, and I am grateful for this, as so many have closed their businesses, lost their jobs, homes and much more in these past 5 1/2 years.

However, down deep, I’ve felt like this isn’t all there is, there’s more to be had. Not out of selfishness, but to give of my time and efforts to serve Him and do His will by loving, caring, and encouraging others. We have wanted our business to flourish, not only to support us, but to be a provision for others to be able to support them and their families. Praying God would use us with our servant hearts to serve our community with quality so they can see a difference, which is because of Christ living in us. We have dreams of writing a book to help consumers understand flooring and furnishings that are produced so they can make the best choice, not just for the decor, but also for the daily maintenance and wear and tear, making life easier for them. And I’ve been praying this business would allow me to be catapulted to give of myself as my passion is to help and encourage others realize, no matter what hardships may come, all things are possible through Christ, through writing, speaking, and whatever ways God wants to use me. I also would love for Ron to reach his dream of getting his pilots license and a small plane. Even though my heart has desired more, I realize now I haven’t been ready for those dreams. I can look back over my life and see how God’s been growing and healing me for years. And over the last year and a half, He’s been molding and sifting me, causing me to face the hurts in my life that has caused me to have bad habits and hangups such as control, codependency and perfection issues.

So as I was reading my daily meditation for codependents recently in the book written by Melody Beattie, “The Language of Letting Go”, I realized I haven’t been ready to receive those hopes and dreams. Here’s what it says in blue:

Do not ask for loveunless you’re ready to be “healed enough” to give and receive love.

Do not ask for joyunless you’re ready to “feel and release your pain”, so you can feel joy.

Do not ask for successunless you’re ready to “conquer the behaviors” that would sabotage success….

…Wouldn’t it be nice if we could imagine ourselves having or becoming–and then immediately receiving–what we wanted? We can have and be the good things we want. All good things are ours for the asking. But first, groundwork — preparation work — must be done.

A gardener would not plant seeds unless the ground was adequately prepared to nurture and nourish those seeds. The planting would be wasted effort. It would be wasted effort for us to get what we wanted before we were ready.

First, we need to become aware of our need or desire. This may not be easy! Many of us have become accustomed to shutting off the inner voice of our wants, needs, and desires. Sometimes, life has to work hard to get our attention.

Next we let go of the old “programming” — the behaviors and beliefs that interfere with nurturing and nourishing the good. Many of us have strong sabotaging programs, learned from childhood, that need to be released. We may need to “act as if” for a while until the belief that we deserve the good becomes real.

We combine this process with much letting go, while we are being changed at the core.

There is a naturalness to this process, but it can be intense. Things take time.

Good things are ours for the asking, if we are willing to participate in the work of groundbreaking. Work and wait.

Today, God, give me the courage to identify the good I want in my life and to ask for it. Give me also the faith and stamina I need to go through the work that must be accomplished first.

I read this meditation I know at least twice, back in 1991 when I first realized I had codependency issues, and again last May as I was working and healing on my codependency, but these words did not hit home with me until reading it this time around. Just recently I mentioned to Ron that even though we have prayed for greater blessings and growth, and believe down deep God has greater things in store for us as He lives and works through us, I realize that God knew best as He always does. If we would have received our prayers immediately it would have been a rough road and wouldn’t have lasted long, we would have sabotaged it like the meditation above stated.

You see, this past year I have started healing through a 12 step program called Celebrate Recovery, and Ron and I have also taken Financial Peace University (FPU) provided by Dave Ramsey, which are both based on God’s word, which is my desire to follow, as I’ve realized His word is all truth and the truth shall set you free. With the growth, healing and knowledge we have received, I can see how God is healing me of my control, codependency and perfectionism — so I am learning to trust and obey God to provide, rather than me trying to control it all. I am setting healthy boundaries, rather than being codependent which would have allowed employees or anyone to abuse my fixing and rescuing which would not allow either of us to grow nor be responsible for our own selves. I am letting go of perfectionism and instead of waiting to write or speak or do anything until I feel everything is perfect, I move forward in faith, trusting God to provide. And with the knowledge of FPU we are telling our money where to go, rather than wondering where it went, and living like no one else right now, so later we can live and give like no one else. We are trusting in God’s word that if we follow His plan, one day at a time, He will provide. I give this all to God and I know He answers my prayers. He may say “yes”, “no” or “wait”, but He always answers it for our best interest, and I’m so grateful for that.

So now that I’ve opened my heart and let you know where we’ve been and what our hopes and dreams are, what’s next? Well I’d like to conclude by applying Matthew 25:14-28, which speaks of the talents given by the master. To some he gave 5, 2 & 1 talent. I don’t want to be like the one with 1 talent who was so afraid to do anything he just buried it. My desire is to use my talents given, for the one who provided me these talents, so it can grow and produce more. With that being said, whether I spread the good news of hope, joy peace and contentment one person at a time by the lives I touch daily. Or to several through my blogs and other avenues that come my way, such as Celebrate Recovery. Or to thousands, even millions by writing and speaking and ways I can’t even imagine, I leave that to God. I’m tired of trying to force things to happen in my own time and power, all it does is exhaust and stress me out. I’ve learned that by taking things one day at a time, “being still” and “waiting on Him”, seeking His will through His word, praying, meditating, and surrendering myself and my life daily to Him, great things can happen through His love and power in His perfect time.

So, I will trust in Him and claim Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

As well as Ephesians 3:20 “He is able to do above and beyond anything we can ever ask or image”. From the experiences of my life I’ve realized, to allow God to direct my paths and guide me with His wisdom, guidance, and in His timing works so much better than when I take control. Therefore, all things are possible through Christ which strengthens me (Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:13), and what He knows I can handle, I trust completely He will provide and make a way. I delight in His ways and trust in Him, and claim His promises that He will give me the desires of my heart, as long as I seek His will and surrender to His ways. (Psalms 37:4) I’m so grateful for such a loving, powerful God who knows and provides what’s best for us always! I’m anxiously awaiting for the day that I can look back at this blog, and claim His greatness with a follow-up blog on what He has done and where He has taken us. I am just loving this journey of life with my Lord and Savior, helping to bring the good news of hope, peace, joy and contentment that He provides for anyone who is open to accepting His free gift for now into eternity.

and all of those who gave their lives for our freedoms we have in this wonderful country we call America.

But as I ponder what this Memorial Holiday represents, those who have died for our freedoms here in our country, I also want to honor my Lord

and Savior for giving His life so we all can receive a greater freedom. A freedom from sin and death, with peace and joy in this life and the hope of eternal life with Him forever!

There are so many conversations these days about our country and the fears so many have of what the future may hold. 2 Chronicles 7:14 states “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” This is my prayer that we as Americans will do this, as I know God keeps His promises, and America could be healed for centuries to come for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But as a country, if we do not do this, and things go in a different direction on this earth, I am grateful there is hope for eternity through our Lord and Savior, as He overcame sin and death by His willingness to die for each of us. And if we believe, repent and be baptized as He states in His word, we have the hope of eternal life forever — that’s so comforting. So we may not know what the future holds here on this earth, but I know who holds our future, and one day as His word states in Romans 14:11, every

knee shall bow and every tongue confess He is Lord. I’m grateful I am claiming that now, and am comforted that the Living God who is full of love and great power even over death, holds the future in His hands.

If men and women are willing to go to death for our freedom here on this earth, I pray I am willing, with God’s love and power, to go to my death, not just for the freedoms of this earth, which is for a small amount of time and then it’s over, but for men and women’s souls which will live for ever in eternity. I also pray that in all I do and say daily will reflect the love and power of our Amazing, Loving, Living, Powerful, Wise Heavenly Father so souls will be saved from eternal damnation to eternal life and that He may be glorified.

So today I gratefully say “Thank You grandpa and all of those who gave their lives for our freedoms here in America”, “Thank You God for providing the hope of eternal life, for each of us if we will open our hearts, minds, body and souls to accept your free gift of salvation”, and I pray “God Bless America!”